SBOE: Dems waiting on GOP response to LULAC debate offer

After two Republican candidates for the State Board of Education declined to participate in a League of Women Voters debate, the Democratic candidates say they will accept a debate opportunity offered by LULAC.

Democrat

Rebecca Bell-Metereau

The League of Women Voters debate jointly sponsored by PBS affiliate KRLU at the University of Texas fell apart after Texas GOP Chairman Steve Munisteri, complained that the Austin chapter of the League of Women Voters is too partisan.

Judy Jennings, an Austin Democrat, and Rebecca Bell-Metereau, a San Marcos Democrat, said they have each accepted a debate invitation by the United Latin American Citizens on Sept. 25.

“Clearly these Republicans didn’t trust women. We’ll see if they like Latinos any better,” said Harold Cook, a spokesman for both Democratic nominees.

But Marsha Farney, the Republican candidate facing Jennings in the District 10 race, (Austin to Fort Bend) said she has not received any information or invitation involving the proposed debate. The same applies for incumbent Ken Mercer, R-San Antonio, in the District 5 race.

Republican

Ken Mercer

“I was made aware of this potential forum yesterday by a reporter who was trying to find out more about it,” Farney said in an e-mail. “The LULAC website also did not indicate anything yesterday about any forum. I am waiting to hear more. I look forward to the time when I can discuss the important issues facing the SBOE with my opponent. Hopefully, a politically neutral forum will be announced soon.”

Farney and Jennings are facing off to replace incumbent Cynthia Dunbar, R-Richmond, who is not running for re-election.

Cook, meanwhile, offered to send the Republican candidates a Google map with directions to the debate location, and a coupon for a free burger at McDonalds for lunch that day, if it would help get the Republican SBOE candidates to the LULAC debate.

“Rebecca Bell-Metereau and Judy Jennings are happy to attend the LULAC debate to discuss how they want to move public education forward. Meanwhile, their Republican opponents can avoid having to explain why they continue to hide from voters, by showing up at the debate and discussing these important issues as well,” Cook said.

Bell-Metereau faces incumbent Mercer, for the District 5 seat (San Antonio to Austin).

Mercer said no one has invited him to a LULAC debate.

“The only communication about a 25-Sep LULAC event is the press release from Harold Cook, the Democrat Party spokesman for my opponent. That highly partisan communication does not pass the political smell test,” Mercer said.

“I am not sure what game Harold Cook and the Democrat Party of Texas are playing. It is unfortunate that the tactics of the Democrat Party of Texas might shine an unfair light on LULAC,” Mercer said. “I was told today that LULAC wants to commit to a fair, non-partisan event.

Mercer said that a LULAC sponsored event for Oct. 16 went to an email site at the Texas Education Agency.

“I already committed to a 16-Oct event in Comal County, which is a critical part of my conservative base — which I agreed to in July,” Mercer said.